Play Therapy

Play Therapy for Children

Helping a child through their natural mode of interaction: Play!

Play Therapy is a form of counseling or therapy that uses play to communicate with and help people, especially children, resolve emotional struggles. It has been found to help children towards better social integration, growth and development.

Play Therapy can also be used as a tool of diagnosis. A play therapist observes a child playing with toys (play-houses, cars, dolls, etc.), and engages them in specific activities, to determine the cause of the disturbed behavior. The objects and patterns of play, as well as the willingness to interact with the therapist, can be used to understand the underlying rationale for behavior both inside and outside the session.

Jesilee Bonofiglio is a Registered Play Therapist and has been working with and counseling children and families since 2006 specialist in the Play Therapy field. She serves as the volunteer coordinator for the annual Michigan Association for Play Therapy conference in February. She also co-leads the West Regional Play Therapy Networking Meeting.